A two-part series, and dozens of other reports, that showed how Gov. Mike Easley benefited while in office, including receiving a discounted waterfront parcel at the coast and getting involved in creating a job for his wife at N.C. State University.

A five-part series that chronicled the failure of mental health reform in North Carolina. The series and follow-ups revealed questionable deaths in state mental hospitals; more than $400 million in wasted government spending; and documented cases of patient abuse and neglect.

In 1996, the News & Observer received the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for a series of reports that documented the rise of the hog industry in North Carolina and its widespread and lasting effects on people.

Sunshine central

"Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants" -- Louis Brandeis, later a Supreme Court justice

At The News & Observer, we use public records to shine a light on injustice, waste and wrongdoing. So can you.

Here are some links to key state and federal records that are open to the public.

Conduct your own investigation

We use databases to track campaign contributions, look up criminal records, check lobbying expenses, find out the salary of a state employee and more. Many government meeting agendas are available, too. Below are some links. Are we missing any helpful ones? Send suggestions to watchdog@newsobserver.com

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Former Wake official turns herself in on embezzlement charges

Former Wake County register of deeds Laura Riddick turned herself in to law enforcement officers on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, the day after she was accused of embezzling more than $900,000 from the office she presided over for two decades. Riddick walked into the Wake County Detention Center at about 7:30 a.m. with her husband Matthew Eisley, a former journalist at The News & Observer.

This blog contains some of our previous investigative work and news we think you'll find interesting. We post fresh updates and follow-ups to stories, as well as supplemental information to our investigations. We also try to point you to other great investigations from around the country. Follow @dankanenando, @josephcneff and @MandyLockeNews on Twitter.